Austin sends nearly $2M to school districts, workforce programs, child care workers

“There is no functioning or productive economy in Austin without our child care staff," Alter said May 18. "I’m excited by this investment and that we are poising child care workers for success, and in turn that we are increasing the retention and recruitment of this critical workforce which keeps our child care facilities open to meet our families’ needs."

The three items approved this month come in addition to multiple existing funding commitments Austin's Economic Development Department now has in place with several local organizations, which in total are expected to serve thousands of clients.

The contract items approved this spring were funded through EDD and Austin Public Health.

“Supporting the child care workforce promotes access to affordable, high-quality child care in Austin and encourages people to return to the labor force. Additionally, providing training opportunities for health care workers helps our workforce level up and ensures that our growing community continues to receive the care they need," EDD Director Sylnovia Holt-Rabb said.

Early education

In addition to the workforce and child care support, council also voted to help Austin, Del Valle and Leander ISDs open a total of eight new pre-K classrooms for 3-year-olds. The APH-funded items include:

• $48,000 to Austin ISD for three classrooms
• $64,000 to Del Valle ISD for four classrooms
• $16,000 to Leander ISD for one classroom